Systems, structures and associated processes for optimization of state transitions within wireless networks

ABSTRACT

A system for optimizing communications on a radio network by altering transitions between different link states that includes several modules. The activity, environment, and load module monitor monitors the link layer based on spectral-load metrics and radio-link metrics. The state transition control module determines when user equipment transitions between different states based on the type of user equipment, user equipment battery life, whether the user equipment is connected to an alternating current outlet, a spectral cost, and a backhaul cost. The channel state influencer module uses any of direct messages, ping messages, and keep-alive messages to influence the link state. The policy and preference handler enables or disables transitions based on the bearer technology type, the type of user equipment, the user&#39;s subscription plan, and the load level on the network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/632,700,entitled Channel State Transition Optimization, filed on 7 Dec. 2009,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/181,634, Idle Wake Delay Optimization with VTP, filed 27 May 2009 andof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/227,371, Idle Wake DelayOptimization, filed 21 Jul. 2009, the entirety of each of which isincorporated herein by this reference thereto.

The Applicants hereby rescind any disclaimer of claim scope in theparent Application(s) or the prosecution history thereof and advise theUSPTO that the claims in this Application may be broader than any claimin the Parent Application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to the field of optimizing datatransmission in a radio network. More specifically, this inventionrelates to minimizing the time between client and server communicationsby optimizing the link states.

2. Description of the Related Art

As people increasingly rely on personal computers, laptops, and mobiledevices for information and entertainment, the demand for fasterInternet access increases. The demand, however, is straining networksand resulting in dropped calls, poor cell-phone service, and delayedtext and voice messages. See, for example, Jenna Wortham, CustomersAngered as iPhones Overload AT&T, New York Times (Sep. 2, 2009). Manycarriers are attempting to solve the problem by increasing theirinfrastructure in the form of new cell-phone towers to provide morebandwidth. Other companies are developing faster clients with newnetwork technologies.

While these measures help to alleviate some of the problem, they arecostly measures that ignore the overarching reason for theproblem—delays incurred during a sequence of requests and responses thatlead to poor user experience. Communication protocols, such as thetransmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) and applicationprotocols, such as hypertext transfer protocols (HTTP) include delaysbetween transitioning from different link states, read time for loadingwebpages, etc.

Typical usage patterns, as studied and observed by the 3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP), reveal that users typically load a websiteand read the first page before clicking on the second page. During thistime, the link layer state typically transitions out of active statebecause of the inactivity. To access the second page, the user must waitfor the link state to transition back to active, and then load thesecond page.

What is needed is a method for minimizing the time between client andserver communications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies and limitations of theprior art by providing an optimization system for monitoringapplications and link-layer activity, maintaining state, usingdifference mechanisms to influence link state transitions, and usingpolicy and preferences to control transition management.

The optimization system comprises four modules. The activity,environment, and load monitor module monitors the link layer based onspectral-load metrics and radio-link metrics. The state transitioncontrol module determines when user equipment transitions betweendifferent states based on the type of user equipment, user equipmentbattery life, whether the user equipment is connected to an alternatingcurrent (A/C) outlet, a spectral cost, and a backhaul cost. The channelstate influencer module influences the state transition based on anydirect messages, ping messages, and keep-alive messages. The policy andpreference handler enables or disables transitions based on the bearertechnology type, the type of user equipment, the user's subscriptionplan, and the load level on the network.

The optimization engine is stored on user equipment, a network element,or a combination of both the user equipment and the network element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the delay for transitioning between different radioresource control states from forward access channel to disconnect;

FIG. 2 illustrates the delay associated with transitioning fromdisconnect to dedicated channel;

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a memory structure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an optimizationsystem stored on the user equipment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an optimizationsystem stored on the network element;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the memory of theoptimization system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of different transition states;

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an optimizationsystem that is stored on both the network element and the userequipment;

FIG. 9 a block diagram that illustrates the different components in aHSPA network;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a preferred method for optimizingtransition states;

FIG. 11 illustrates the impact of idle-wake-time packet exchange on TCP;

FIG. 12 illustrates the TCP time sequence; and

FIG. 13 illustrates the achievable first packet delay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method and/or an apparatusthat reduce waiting times during wireless communications.

Clients and servers communicate with each other over the Internet byrunning software that implements a communications protocol, such asTCP/IP and an application protocol, such as HTTP. The communicationsmodel is described using a protocol with four layers: a link layer, anInternet protocol layer, a transport layer, and an application layer.The link layer is used to interact with host (client and server)hardware. The link layer interconnects hosts and nodes in the network.The Internet protocol layer is used to transport packets from theoriginating host across network boundaries to the destination host. Thetransport layer is used to deliver data to the appropriate applicationprocess on the host. The application layer is used to facilitateapplication process-to-process communications. Persons of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the protocol stack can include additionallayers, such as a session layer in the case of an Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) model.

When communicating over a wireless network, the end user's device, i.e.the client, is referred to as user equipment. The user equipmentconnects to a base transceiver station (BTS), which is also referred toas Node B. Node B contains radio frequency (RF) transmitters and areceiver that are used to communicate with the user equipment.

A wireless service network maintains a radio link layer channel with theuser equipment based upon the readiness of the radio link layer to carrysubscriber traffic. For example, in the popular mobile broadband highspeed packet access (HSPA) network, the radio resource control (RRC)includes three connected states: idle, ready, and intermediate. Theready state is called CELL_DCH, which refers to the dedicated channel.The subscriber radio link enters into a CELL_DCH state after a login.Necessary radio link layer resources are available to the user in thisstate to quickly send and receive data packets over the radio linklayer. A subscriber successfully downloads a web page to the web browserin the CELL_DCH state.

The intermediate state is CELL_FACH, which refers to the forward accesschannel. If, for example, while the user is browsing the Internet theuser equipment is idle for five seconds, the radio link transitions fromCELL_DCH to the CELL_FACH (forward access channel) state, which consumesabout 50% less energy than the CELL_DCH state. If the user equipment isidle for 7 more seconds, the user equipment's radio link transitionsinto a RRC disconnect state.

A user equipment radio link layer transitions back to the CELL_DCH statebefore a follow-on page request message can be delivered through theradio link. A traditional delay from CELL_FACH to CELL_DCH isapproximately 2.1 seconds. Transition delay from RRC disconnected toCELL_DCH is 1 seconds or even longer. Transition delays from thesestates contribute to subscriber perception that the wireless client isresponding poorly.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate RRC states and transition delays. Thehighlighted entries in the time column for FIG. 1 illustrate thetransition delay between the forward access channel state and thededicated channel state. The highlighted entries in FIG. 2 illustratetransition delay between the disconnected state and the dedicatedchannel state.

Configuring the radio link layer timer settings to extend stay in theCELL_DCH state for all subscribers is not a viable solution because itwastes radio link layer resources unnecessarily. The present inventionavoids radio resource contention while improving user perception ofresponsiveness by controlling the link states. The optimization systemextends the duration of the ready state based on the type of traffic,the subscription plan, and the degree of congestion of a radio link,etc. Users perceive the responsiveness of mobile devices according tothe responsiveness of transactional applications, such as a web browser,rather than background applications, such as peer-to-peer (P2P)networking. Thus, the optimization system focuses on increasing visibleresponsiveness rather than all responses.

System Architecture

In one embodiment, the optimization system is stored on a client device,such as a personal computer, a notebook, a smart phone, a digital mediaplayer, a personal digital assistant, etc. FIG. 3 is a block diagram ofa client 300 according to one embodiment of the invention. The client300 includes a bus 350, a processor 310, a main memory 308, a read onlymemory (ROM) 335, a storage device 330, one or more input devices 315,one or more output devices 325, and a communication interface 320. Thebus 350 includes one or more conductors that permit communication amongthe components of the client 300.

The processor 310 includes one or more types of conventional processorsor microprocessors that interpret and execute instructions. Main memory308 includes random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamicstorage device that stores information and instructions for execution bythe processor 305. ROM 335 includes a conventional ROM device or anothertype of static storage device that stores static information andinstructions for use by the processor 310. The storage device 330includes a magnetic and/or optical recording medium and itscorresponding drive.

Input devices 315 include one or more conventional mechanisms thatpermit a user to input information to a client 300, such as a keyboard,a mouse, etc. Output devices 325 include one or more conventionalmechanisms that output information to a user, such as a display, aprinter, a speaker, etc. The communication interface 320 includes anytransceiver-like mechanism that enables the client 300 to communicatewith other devices and/or systems. For example, the communicationinterface 320 includes mechanisms for communicating with another deviceor system via a network.

The software instructions that define the monitoring system 308 are tobe read into memory 308 from another computer readable medium, such as adata storage device 330, or from another device via the communicationinterface 320. The processor 310 executes computer-executableinstructions stored in the memory 308. The instructions comprise objectcode generated from any compiled computer-programming language,including, for example, C, C++, C# or Visual Basic, or source code inany interpreted language such as Java or JavaScript.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network where the optimization system 305is stored on the user equipment 400. The network is any radio network,such as the HSPA network, a code division multiple access (CDMA)network, the worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)network, and long term evolution (LTE). The network element 405 ishardware that transfers information to the user equipment 400, such as ahost, a node, a gateway, a router, etc. FIG. 4 illustrates the linklayer 410, the Internet protocol layer 420, the transport layer 425, andthe application layer 430 as discussed in more detail above.

The optimization system 305 monitors application and/or link layeractivity, maintains states, uses different mechanisms to influence radiolink layer transitions, and manages transitions using policy and/orpreferences. The optimization system 305 monitors application activityby receiving activity detection direction from the applications 415. Theoptimization system 305 monitors the link layer activity by receivingchannel load estimates from the link layer 410. Network load conditioninformation is received from the network element 405. The optimizationsystem 305 manages transitions by receiving policy information andbattery/alternating current information internally.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a network where the optimizationsystem 305 is stored on the network element 405. In one embodiment, theoptimization system 305 is stored on (1) a radio access network (RAN)edge node or RAN core equipment, such as Node B or a radio networkcontroller (RNC) or (2) a gateway server, such as an optimizationengine. In this instantiation, the network element 405 utilizes existinglink layer 410 control protocol, namely RRC configuration messages, tomanage state transitions on the user equipment 400. This approach issuitable for supporting user equipment 400 that does not have thecapacity to offer the possibility to host the optimization system 305.

Modules

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the memory 308 constructedaccording to the present invention that stores multiple modules. Thestate transition control module 605; the channel state influencer module610; the activity, environment, and load monitor module 615; and thepolicy and preference handler module 620 are coupled to the bus 350.

Activity, Environment, and Load Monitor Module

The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615 monitors the linklayer 410 using spectral load metrics or radio link metrics. All linklayer metrics are available when the ability to monitor resides on theRAN edge node or RAN core equipment or a gateway server.

The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615 monitors theapplication layer 430 by receiving information on the state of packetswaiting to be transmitted from buffer pools in the protocol stack layerat the transport layer 425, key stroke entry or mouse click informationentered within an application window, and a recognition of user sessiontransitioning into a data transfer phase by observing signaling protocolmessage.

Application layer monitoring helps to determine if the traffic relatedto the applications 415 is such that it should alter the behavior ofradio link states. In one embodiment, the link state behavior is alteredfor some of the application categories. For example, operators considerapplications such as P2P networks to put an excessive demand on theavailable bandwidth, especially when a user is more concerned with theresponsiveness of visible applications, such as a web browser. Theoptimization system 305 combines knowledge of subscription plancategories with knowledge of application categories to further limitsituations where link state transitions are altered.

The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615 readies the linkstate for data transfer. In one embodiment, transitions away fromidle-wait states are initiated ahead of application data trafficarriving into link layer buffers. For example, in the case of a userviewing the first page of a website, any keystrokes or mouse movementindicates that the user may be preparing to view the second page. Thus,the keystrokes and mouse movement serve as indicators that the linklayer should transition from idle to active.

Both the network elements 405 and the user equipment 400 are capable ofmonitoring stack layer buffer pools and observing signaling protocolmessages. Key stroke and mouse click events, however, can only bemonitored when the optimization system 305 is stored on the userequipment 400.

In one embodiment the activity, environment, and load monitor module 615predicts user behavior based on past behavior. The past behavior isinferred from logs. For example, when users access the Google searchengine, they typically access the second page. Users that visit ESPN, onthe other hand, rarely read the second page. As a result, theoptimization system 305 prefetches the second page when a user accessesthe Google search engine but not EPSN to optimize responses and reserveresources.

In many situations, the time lag between recognition of an applicationthat is ready to transfer data and the actual arrival of data packets atthe link layer 410 is longer than transition from idle-wait time stateto the ready state. The activity, environment, and load monitor module615 recognizes that in these situations, the default transition out ofready state into an idle-wait time state is preferred.

State Transition Control Module

The state transition control module 605 supports N states based upondistinct delay characteristics at the link layer 410. FIG. 7 illustratesthe different states and their transitions. There are N number of statesthat can proceed in sequential order, e.g. State 1 700 to State 2 705 toState N 710. Each of these states can also transition to and from anidle state 715. The state transition control module 615 tracks thedifferent states that occur for the radio network. A typical tri-stateimplementation for HSPA R5, for example, will maintain idle, ready, andintermediate states.

The state transition control module 615 delays transitions betweendifferent states and invokes early transitions based on the userequipment 400 battery life, whether the user equipment 400 is connectedto an A/C power outlet, a spectral cost, and a backhaul cost. Withregard to the user equipment 400 battery life, certain devices, such ashandsets, laptops, and netbooks have limited battery life. Becauselonger ready states result in an increased drain on the battery, batterylife may be the primary reason for not delaying transitions on handsets.When the optimization system 305 is stored on the user equipment 400,the state transition control module 615 determines whether to delaytransitions among states based on the current data session.

User equipment 400, such as laptops and netbooks are often stationaryand connected to an A/C outlet. The state transition control module 615monitors the A/C outlet connectivity to determine whether to delaytransitions among states.

A delayed transition causes a marginal increase in radio resources forthe corresponding duration because of additional radio layer messages onthe link channels. For example, the HSPA network uses the random accesschannel (RACH) to synchronize the user equipment 400 with the Node B andwhile RACH is not a dedicated state, it still remains connected.

Spectral cost (also known as bandwidth cost) refers to the informationrate that is transmitted over a specific bandwidth. Spectral costconsiders the impact on radio channel collision, a noise ratio, a noisemargin, and the user equipment 400 that are likely to remain in a readystate.

Backhaul refers to the link that connects each Node B to the RNC.Backhaul includes wire line connection from Node B, RNC, service generalpacket radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN), and the GPRS gatewaysupport node (GGSN) in a HSPA network. The backhaul is impacted bykeep-alive messages, which are messages generated by the TCP/IP stack toverify that the computer at the remote end of a connection is available.Keep-alive messages extend link states. In a loaded network, loading onthe radio access bearer (RAB) resources and IuB, which is the backhaulbetween the Node B and RNC in a HSPA network, bandwidth due tokeep-alive messages is small but important.

Channel State Influencer

The channel state influencer module 610 tracks information that is usedto influence link state transition. The link layer transitions areinfluenced by direct messaging from the optimization system 305 into thechannel; ping messages, which are used to test the presence of an activeclient; and keep-alive messages. Radio link modems in the user equipment400 support an AT-command interface (AT refers to ATtention, whichdesignates the beginning of a command line). User equipment 400 sideimplementation of the channel state influencer module 610 uses theAT-command interface to conditionally maintain the radio link in a moredesirable state. This is unlikely to impact the backhaul cost.

When the optimization system 305 is stored on the user equipment 400,direct messaging is implemented, for example, using RRC messages in aHSPA network. This is illustrated in FIG. 5 as an RRC configurationmessage being transmitted from the network element 405 to the userequipment 400. When the optimization system 305 is stored on the networkelement 405, direct messaging is additionally used to manage the linkstate on the clientless user equipment 400.

Ping messages include the Internet control message protocol (ICMP)message, which is a frequently used mechanism for detecting the presenceof user equipment 400 at the remote end. The size of the IMCP message istailored to fit into the smallest possible link layer 410 frame tominimize the resulting overhead. In one embodiment, the ICMP message isused when the optimization system 305 is stored on a gateway, i.e. aspart of the network element 405.

In one embodiment, the keep-alive message is implemented as a higherlayer scheme, for example, a TCP layer keep-alive message. Thekeep-alive message scheme works when the optimization system 305 isstored either on the network element 405 or the user equipment 400. ATCP keep-alive packet is an acknowledgment (ACK) with the sequencenumber set to one less than the current sequence number for theconnection. The packets are already used by a user equipment 400application that performs a long series of calculations and needs toknow that the host is reachable and ready to receive the results at theend of the calculation. TCP based keep-alive messages enable the networkelement 405 to be located deeper within the Internet, away from the RANand still achieve optimization system 305 functionality.

The TCP based keep-alive message also enables a light-weight client sideimplementation of the optimization system 305 to be delivered as a userequipment 400 side browser plug-in. FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagramof such an implementation where the optimization system 305 is stored inpart on the network element 405 and in part on the user equipment 400.The TCP keep-alive message is transmitted from the user equipment 400side optimization system 305 along with ICMP messages or from thenetwork element 405 to the user equipment 400. AT commands aretransmitted directly to the link layer 410. The portion of theoptimization system 305 on the network element 405 uses a messagingapplication program interface (API) to interact with the link layer 410and transmits network load updates to the optimization system 305 storedon the network element 405.

Policy and Preference Handler

The policy and preference handler module 620 tracks policies andpreferences that influence state transitions. In one embodiment,transitions are enabled or disabled based on policies associated with abearer technology type, the type of user equipment 400, a user'ssubscription plan, and the level of load on the radio network. Mostcellular data service coverage is achieved through hybrid bearertechnologies. As a result, the user equipment 400 encounters differentbearer technologies based on the user equipment 400 device locationand/or the time of day. Link states and transitional behavior differacross different bearer technologies. For example, 2G technologies donot have as rich a set of link states as 3G, leaving little scope forenhancing. 4G technologies may provide a richer set of states. Thedecision of how to dynamically control extended state transitionsconsiders all these factors. Storing at least part of the optimizationsystem 305 on the network element 405, furthermore, provides theadvantage of easy access to network load metrics and bearer information.

The policy and preference handler module 620 also considers subscriptionplan and user equipment 400 categories. The policy and preferencehandler module 620 interfaces with different network elements 405 withinthe network. When the optimization system 305 is stored on the networkelement 405, it receives policy control information directly from thenetwork element 405. Subscription plan based state extension ensuresthat the premium subscription plans receive a maximum benefit with anoption to disable for low-budget subscription plans on networks with asevere load. Policies based on a user equipment 400 type are used toselectively disable the functionality for devices, such as userequipment 400 with low battery capacity or for when battery power dropsbelow a threshold.

In one embodiment, the optimization system 305 includes a mechanism thatallows the feature to be disabled for the user equipment 400.

EXAMPLE 1 Optimization System Features for a HSPA Network

The following example is a simple implementation of the optimizationsystem 305 for providing enhanced browsing experience to users on anetbook subscription plan under low and moderate load conditions. FIG. 9is a block diagram that illustrates the different components in a HSPAnetwork. The network element includes an RNC 900 and a Node B 905 thatcontains the optimization control system. The RNC makes policy controldecisions. The Node B 905 is aware of network congestion and transmitsdata to the user equipment 400.

The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615 monitors alreadyavailable load metrics on the RNC/Node B to enable state extensions inlow and moderate load conditions. The state transition control module605 is a tri-state implementation comprising a ready state (CELL_DCH),an intermediate state (CELL_FACH), and idle (Disconnect state). Normaltransition away from a ready state to an intermediate state is extendedfor a subscriber in low to moderate load conditions. Transitions from anintermediate to an idle state are extended for subscribers in low loadconditions.

The channel state influencer module 610 uses a direct messaging method,i.e. RRC configuration messages to influence the user equipment 400 tostay in ready and/or intermediate states. The RNC/Node B generates thesemessages selectively based on the degree of congestion in the networkarea in which the user equipment 400 is located. RNC/Node B selectivelybroadcasts RNC configuration messages for the user equipment 400 typelaptops. This implementation enables laptop users in unloaded networksto experience superior response times.

The policy and preference handler module 620 only allows subscribersusing a netbook device to access certain features. In one embodiment,the preferences are set to switch from speed to battery stretch based onthe user equipment 400 conditions. Further, the states are downshiftedor stay high longer based on the type of website and the user's behaviorand/or historical behavior. Lastly, in addition to considering thecurrent load, the policy and preference handler module 620 changes statebehavior based on time of day, location, and user privileges.

Flow Diagram

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates the steps for optimizingcommunications on a radio network. The state transition control module605 tracks 1000 the link states in the radio network. The channel stateinfluencer module 610 tracks 1005 any of direct messages, ping messages,and keep-alive messages. The activity, environment, and load monitormodule 615 receives 1010 link layer metrics from a link layer thatdescribes a channel load and any of information on a state of packetsfrom a transport layer and key stroke entry and mouse click information.The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615 determines 1015whether traffic related to applications is altering a behavior of thelink states based on subscription plan categories and applicationcategories. The activity, environment, and load monitor module 615modifies 1020 the transition of the link states based on thesubscription plan categories and the application categories.

The state transition control module 605 alters 1025 the transition ofthe link states based on any of user equipment battery life, aconnection of the user equipment to an A/C power outlet, a spectralcost, and a backhaul cost.

The channel state influencer module 610 determines 1030 whether to alterthe link states based on any of the direct messages, the ping messages,and the keep-alive messages.

The policy and preference handler module 620 tracks 1030 any policy andpreference that influences the transition of the link states comprisingany of a bearer technology type, a user of user equipment, a usersubscription plan, and a level of load on the radio network. The policyand preference handler module 620 alters 1035 the transition of the linkstate based on the policy and preferences.

EXAMPLE 2 Impact of Optimization on TCP

Typically, when a user first reads a webpage, the user takes about 30seconds of read time. In a TCP model, the user equipment 400 transitionsfrom disconnect to active state before the user has finished reading.FIG. 1 illustrates packet delay associated with transitioning fromdisconnect to DCH state. FIG. 2 illustrates packet delay associated withtransitioning from FACH to DCH state.

FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention where theimpact of idle-wake-time packet exchange on TCP increases the delay toover 2.8 seconds. The re-channelization takes two seconds; 0.8 moreseconds elapse before the first packet is read.

FIG. 12 illustrates the TCP time sequence. The idle-wake time handshaketime lasts about 2 seconds. Once that stage is complete, it takes lessthan a second to read the first packet after idle wait.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention maybe embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming anddivision of the members, features, attributes, and other aspects are notmandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement theinvention or its features may have different names, divisions and/orformats. Accordingly, the disclosure of the invention is intended to beillustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which isset forth in the following Claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for optimizing communications ona wireless network between a client device and a network element, theprocess comprising the steps of: tracking link states that occur in thewireless network; receiving metrics that describe any of: a channelload, a state of packets from a transport layer, or user interactionwith a client device; wherein the received metrics describe userinteraction with the client device that is monitored by an optimizationsystem stored on the client device; determining whether traffic relatedto at least one application is altering a behavior of at least one ofthe link states based on a subscription plan category and an applicationcategory; and modifying a transition of at least one of the link statesbased on the received metrics and any of: the subscription plan categoryand application category, a spectral cost indicating an information ratethat is transmitted over a specific bandwidth, a backhaul costindicating the impact of messages on bandwidth, or at least one message.2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: tracking anyof a policy or a preference that influences the transition of at leastone of the link states; and altering the transition based on the policyor preference.
 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the policy orpreference comprises any of a bearer technology type, a type of theclient device, a user subscription plan, or a load level on the wirelessnetwork.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one categorycomprises any of a subscription plan category or an applicationcategory.
 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one messagecomprises any of a direct message sent over the wireless network, a pingmessage, or a keep-alive message.
 6. The process of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: tracking the at least one message.
 7. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein the link states comprise any of a readystate, an intermediate state, or an idle state.
 8. The process of claim1, wherein the wireless network comprises any of a high speed packetaccess (HSPA) network, a code division multiple access (COMA) network, aworldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network, or along term evolution (LTE) network.
 9. The process of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: predicting user behavior associated with theclient device based on past user behavior associated with the clientdevice.
 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the process is performed atany of the client device, the network element, or any combinationthereof.
 11. A process for optimizing communications on a wirelessnetwork between a client device and a network element, the processcomprising the steps of: tracking link states that occur in the wirelessnetwork; receiving metrics that describe any of: a channel load, a stateof packets from a transport layer, or user interaction with a clientdevice; wherein the user interaction with the client device comprises anindication that a link layer of the client device should transition to aready state; determining whether traffic related to at least oneapplication is altering a behavior of at least one of the link statesbased on a subscription plan category and an application category; andmodifying a transition of at least one of the link states based on thereceived metrics and any of: the subscription plan category andapplication category, a spectral cost indicating an information ratethat is transmitted over a specific bandwidth, a backhaul costindicating the impact of messages on bandwidth, or at least one message.12. An apparatus for optimizing communications on a wireless networkbetween a client device and a network element, wherein the apparatuscomprises: a memory comprising an optimization system application; atleast one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured bythe optimization system application to: track link states that occur inthe wireless network; receive metrics that describe any of: a channelload, a state of packets from a transport layer, or user interactionwith a client device; wherein the received metrics describe userinteraction with the client device that is monitored by an optimizationsystem stored on the client device; determine whether traffic related toat least one application is altering a behavior of at least one of thelink states based on a subscription plan category and an applicationcategory; and modify a transition of at least one of the link statesbased on the received metrics and any of: the subscription plan categoryand application category, a spectral cost indicating an information ratethat is transmitted over a specific bandwidth, a backhaul costindicating the impact of messages on bandwidth, or at least one message.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to track any of a policy or a preference that influences thetransition of at least one of the link states; and alter the transitionbased on the policy or preference.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the policy or preference comprises any of a bearer technologytype, a type of the client device, a user subscription plan, or a loadlevel on the wireless network.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe at least one category comprises any of a subscription plan categoryor an application category.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theat least one message comprises any of a direct message sent over thewireless network, a ping message, or a keep-alive message.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configuredto track the at least one message.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the link states comprise any of a ready state, an intermediatestate, or an idle state.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein thewireless network comprises any of a high speed packet access (HSPA)network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network, or a long termevolution (LTE) network.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the atleast one processor is configured to predict user behavior associatedwith the client device based on past user behavior associated with theclient device.
 21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least oneprocessor is located at any of the client device, the network element,or any combination thereof.
 22. An apparatus for optimizingcommunications on a wireless network between a client device and anetwork element, wherein the apparatus comprises: a memory comprising anoptimization system application; at least one processor, wherein the atleast one processor is configured by the optimization system applicationto: track link states that occur in the wireless network; receivemetrics that describe any of: a channel load, a state of packets from atransport layer, or user interaction with a client device; wherein theuser interaction with the client device comprises an indication that alink layer of the client device should transition to a ready state;determine whether traffic related to at least one application isaltering a behavior of at least one of the link states based on asubscription plan category and an application category; and modify atransition of at least one of the link states based on the receivedmetrics and any of: the subscription plan category and applicationcategory, a spectral cost indicating an information rate that istransmitted over a specific bandwidth, a backhaul cost indicating theimpact of messages on bandwidth, or at least one message.
 23. A clientdevice implemented over a wireless network, comprising: a mechanism forsending and receiving wireless signals; and at least one processor,wherein the at least one processor is configured to: track link statesthat occur in the wireless network; receive metrics that describe anyof: a channel load, a state of packets from a transport layer, or userinteraction with the client device; wherein the received metricsdescribe user interaction with the client device that is monitored by anoptimization system stored on the client device; determine whethertraffic related to at least one application is altering a behavior of atleast one of the link states based on a subscription plan category andan application category; and modify a transition of at least one of thelink states based on the received metrics and any of: the subscriptionplan category and application category, a spectral cost indicating aninformation rate that is transmitted over a specific bandwidth, abackhaul cost indicating the impact of messages on bandwidth, or atleast one message.
 24. The client device of claim 23, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: track any of a policy or apreference that influences the transition of at least one of the linkstates; and alter the transition based on the policy or preference. 25.The client device of claim 23, wherein the at least one categorycomprises any of a subscription plan category or an applicationcategory.
 26. The client device of claim 23, wherein the at least onemessage comprises any of a direct message sent over the wirelessnetwork, a ping message, or a keep-alive message.
 27. The client deviceof claim 23, wherein the client device comprises any of a personalcomputer, a notebook, a smart phone, a digital media player, or apersonal digital assistant.